Alan Swann

Peterborough United central defender Ryan Tafazolli has been ruled out of tomorrow’s (August 9) EFL Cup tie at home to AFC Wimbledon.

Tafazolli’s competitive Posh debut lasted just 22 minutes at Rochdale on Saturday (August 6) as he was forced out of the game by a hamstring strain.

Hayden White (centre, yellow) played well for Posh against Rochdale. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

The 23 year-old was due to see a specialist today with the hope that he will be given permission to start training again on Thursday (August 11).

Michael Bostwick, an able deputy in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Spotland, will start against the Dons.

Northern Ireland international right-back Michael Smith has recovered from the knock that kept him out at Rochdale, but is not expected to displace new recruit Hayden White from the starting line-up.

Posh boss Grant McCann said; “Ryan has strained his hamstring. We are hoping an injection today will enable him to start training on Thursday. There’s no point in risking him and forcing him to play at this stage of the season. He wanted to carry on playing on Saturday until his hamstring went completely which I told him was a silly idea!

“Michael Bostwick was brilliant when he came on. He’s experienced and he knows this league well so I have no qualms about selecting him from the start.

“Michael Smith is fit now. Saturday came too soon for him, but I will keep faith with people who play well so Michael knows he has a fight to get the shirt off Hayden White based on what we saw at Rochdale.